One of the coolest things about working with families is watching kids grow up! I met little Freeman in his first week of life. He was not the most cooperative subject, but you can’t really blame a newborn. This time around, he was wide-eyed and very interested in the camera (future photographer on our hands!?). I had a great time hanging with Freeman, his mom, dad, and dog, Grace in San Carlos; it just so happened to be the day before Freeman’s 6 month birthday.

Please enjoy the set below, and of course — Happy Birthday, Freeman!

After years of film photography I bought my first DSLR in late February of this year. A few weeks later, my friends had their first baby and I asked if I could come by and take pictures of him. Graciously, they welcomed me to their home and I did what was really my first official digital photo session. Eight months later, they asked me back and it sure is fun to see the growth, not just in little Silas but in my photography as well. Sometimes when I am feeling down on my work, I go to my favorite photographers’ blogs and navigate back a few years, to be inspired by the degree of improvement they’ve experienced. So in this case, it really is fun, albeit a little embarrassing, to take a look back on the work I was so proud of eight months ago and compare the two sessions. I hope this might encourage those of you considering picking up a camera to.. pick it up! It’s a process, and I’m excited to look back on today’s set in another eight months.

In the meantime, please enjoy the images captured below. Rhett and I are lucky to call them friends.

Nidhi Pai is my dentist. She has been the guardian of my teeth for the last few years. She is the kind of dentist that you love to send friends to; warm, genuine, a little self deprecating, goofy and fun. She is a fast friend to everyone. Okay, I’ll stop bragging on my dentist. But seriously… if you live in the Bay Area, check her out.

More important than being my dentist, Nidhi and her husband Akash are parents to stunning Ria and spunky Krish — two sweet natured kids who know how to have a good laugh. The giggles you see below are one hundred percent theirs, and let me tell you, it is infectious! I left their home with a huge smile on my face and reminded to not take things too seriously. Please enjoy the images below and I won’t blame you if you crack a smile, too.

I spent a beautiful morning with the beautiful Thuma family in their beautiful home with their three beautiful boys and their beautiful dogs. Did I use “beautiful” enough in that last sentence? No, probably not, because seriously — this family is beautiful.

The boys Cannon, Rhys, and Rowan (points for cool names) got along wonderfully and were sweet and thoughtful. I like to think it is because I am a master child-wrangler, but it probably has something more to do with the lollipop promised to them by their Mom, Teri, at the end of the session. They were fascinated by my camera; the two frames of them near the front were peering into the lens waiting to see the shutter. Pure captivation and curiosity!

Thanks to the Thuma family for letting me into your home to capture your wonderful family.

I had the pleasure of a laid-back, sunny September morning with Carrie, Becky, and their daughter Samantha before the family took off on a big move to Seattle, which just so happens to be my hometown! I sent them my coveted Seattle Favorites Map, so hopefully they’ll get the chance to do some exploring. In the meantime, the family of three seems to be settling in quite nicely, preparing for another big change – becoming a family of four! The Sohn’s are expecting another baby girl next Spring.

All of my congratulations to the Sohns! Please enjoy a few frames from our session together.